Hi! I have facet problems in my lower back. From what I know, it is wear down/arthritis in the facet joints. The facet joints are the joints on the sides of your spine that support the discs and help you move. Often it is hard to turn side to side when your facet joints are a problem. I have had injections in the joints that have helped and pain nerve burning (RFA). You might ask about that. Good luck to you! Kera4

Ok. let me take a stab at this. Your spine consists of bone and discs. The bony parts are called facets, which are connected to each other at joints, called facet joints. Facet joints are on the left and right side of each facet.

You have bilateral facet hypertrophy. This basically means you have enlarged facet joints at the level you mentioned on both sides at that level. This is considered chronic inflammation in this area, and is best described as a rheumatic disease (meaning like arthritis).

I hope that helps some.

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L5/S1 bulging @ 18, now 46; still there (but no pain)
Fusion at L4/L5 Apr -2006
Solidly Fused Nov-2006
A Success, but still improving!